The Evolution of American Federalism

Three Organizational Schemes

Confederation What is it? Pros/Cons?

Three Organizational Schemes

Unitary Government What is it? Pros/Cons

Three Organizational Schemes

Dual Federalism What is it?

Federalism in the Constitution

Senate Electoral College Article I, Section 8

Commerce ClauseElastic Clause

Article I, Section 10 Article IV, Supremacy Clause

Trend of Nationalization

When?

Why?ModernizationFinancial necessityPolitical efficiency (collective action)Competition between statesPolitical expediency

The Role of the Supreme Court

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Printz v. U.S. (1997)

Morrison v. U.S. (2001)

Pre-1930s 1930s-1960s 1966-present

Dual Federalism Cooperative Federalism New Federalism

Categorical Aid – strict limits

Project grants Formula Grants

Competitive applications

Ex: National Science Foundation, Race to the Top

No application

Based on data / demography

Ex: Medicaid, Title I

Block grants

Local / state discretion

No application

Broad area of focus

Ex: public safety

Federalism

Dual Federalism = roommates Cooperative Federalism= marriage

Crossover Sanctions – ex: drinking age Crosscutting – conditions extended to all federal

funds ex: Obama and sick leave

New Federalism = it’s complicated Mandates

Unfunded mandates

Final Analysis--Benefits

Mobilization of political activity.

Prevents the dominance of “factions.”

Encourages experimentation in states.

Needs of diverse states are met.

Final Analysis--Disadvantages

Confusion and fractured policy making

Small, but motivated interest groups can block the majority.

Diversity of policies creates inequalities.

Lt. green = 7,000-7999, dk green - $11,0000+

Politics of Devolution